La Mujer de Lalo (Lalo's Woman)

Hector's Decision

Lalo had slipped away in the early hours before either Ana or Andrea woke up. After a long time, he had actually slept peacefully for 3 hours. All because of having Ana with him. He wished that she be this close to him every night. By the time he reached Casa Tranquila, it was about 10 a.m. He wheeled away his uncle from the crowded place to a more secluded place. One of the nurse had given him a cup of grape fruit drink, said the Fizzy K was essential for replenishing Hector's nutrients. Lalo just nodded and took it from his hand.

He poured away some of the juice into a pot nearby and filled the cup with the contents of his flask. Hector enjoyed the berry tequila his nephew had pour for him. Finally, something strong and burning to ease his throat. Hector was elated. He saw Lalo's smiling face and eyes full of respect and felt lucky to have such a nephew.

Lalo started pouring out his concerns about the chicken man. He was damn sure that Gus was building something huge. The last time he visited Hector, he'd already told him about the chicken farm and what all had happened. This time, he had more information. He told his uncle about talking Mike, finding out about this German engineer called as Werner Zeigler whom Gus has hired to probably build a mass drug storage facility. He even talks about the Travelwire incident to ask advice from his uncle.

Hector couldn't be more proud of the young man before him. He gave few instructions regarding how to handle the Gus situation. He had a more pressing matter to discuss. Tuco's baby. The Salamanca baby. Lalo told him about how he thought the baby was indeed a true Salamanca and would have a good future if they supported the mother. After a moment of hesitation, he even hinted that just like Lalo and his cousins having each other's back, this kid would also be able to continue their legacy with proper support. Lalo even vouched to train the kid, if need arises.

Hector saw himself in this nephew of his. He pressed the bell once in agreement. Lalo was elated that his uncle had finally taken a good decision. He didn't want to even think about what he'd have to do if Hector had decided otherwise. It would've wreaked his relationship with Ana.

Thinking about Ana, he got lost in his thoughts and was missing his woman. A smile grew on his face and Hector noticed this different behavior. He kept starring at Lalo.

"Ah, Tío. I also have another news for you. A good one I hope. I have been seeing a woman. I would like for you to meet her sometime. I've wanted to introduce her to you." He trailed off.

Hector could see the bright light shining in Lalo's eyes. But he just couldn't believe that after this many years, Lalo has finally found someone. Someone whom he liked and thought was worthy of the Salamanca name. A smile erupted on his face and he kept ringing the bell continuously to express his gladness. It took this guy 46 years to find a woman. But Hector was just glad that now, they had a chance of truly raising the next generation of Salamancas of the Juárez Cartel.

------

As Lalo left the nursing home, he called Ana. He'd asked her to swing by El Michoacáno with Andrea around 4 p.m. He didn't say anything else. He then drive to Tuco's place to pick up his lazy ass.

On his way, his car gets stopped by a police vehicle. Lalo almost had half a mind to shoot them but decided to be clever about it as another cop car came screeching to a halt behind him. He got down and was handcuffed.

"Carajo!" (Damn it)

He was taken into custody and given a call. He called Nacho and asked him to ring up Jimmy. They had given him a bloody orange suit and he felt hideous. He waited for his lawyer to arrive. If anyone could help him with a legal battle, it was James M. McGill. That guy had a mouth. Hell, he was the first to talk Tuco out of killing. He badly wished to witness that entire seen in live.

-----

Nacho calls Jimmy, asking him to represent his client Jorge de Guzman at the court house. Jimmy, initially taken back by the unknown name, realizes it is the alias of Lalo Salamanca. He immediately goes down and pleads "not guilty" on Lalo's behalf. The judge is however unconvinced and rejects his plea for bail.

-----

In an empty room, Jimmy and Jorge have a talk. Lalo talks Jimmy into getting him out of the shithole on bail. No deal or trials. After a long conversation, Jimmy agrees to be a friend of the cartel.

Using a smuggled cell phone, Lalo calls up Nacho. He gives instructions to hurt Gustavo where it hurts. He orders Nacho to burn down one of the Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant.

-----

Ana and Andrea enter El Michoacáno, unaware of what had happened earlier. They both patiently wait. Neither Tuco nor Lalo are anywhere to be found. Something seemed terribly wrong. Just then Nacho entered the restaurant. Seeing their puzzled faces, he realizes that they were unaware of Lalo's arrest. He thought it was best to hide this information from Ana.

On a second thought, he realized that this was the perfect way to get her to leave him. He had heard about the date from Lalo, who had only been praising his sister. Though Nacho loved how Lalo treated Ana like a queen, deep down he knew that she would be the one to get hurt.

He walks up to them with a concerned look. He then tells Ana about what had happened starting from why Lalo was in Albuquerque in the first place, his visit to Gus's restaurant, the setbacks at Travelwire upto the point leading to his arrest.

Ana's head was spinning. She couldn't believe one word that was coming out of his mouth. Of course, she knew he was the cartel, but she had only imagined him as a Don who dealt with producing and selling drugs. Cash was all she thought about. The thought of murder and mayhem never entered her mind. Perhaps, she had prevented them from entering.

How could she have been so naive? She looked up at him and asked him to get a cab for Andrea and send her home. Nacho did as he was told. He returned to his sister who was sipping a cola.

"Does he have a lawyer?" She asked.

"What the hell is wrong with you Ana? After everything I've told you, you're concerned about him having a lawyer?"

"Yes. Just answer me."

"Yeah he does. They're working on getting him out on bail."

"Bail? But it's a murder case. You can't be granted a bail if..." she didn't finish the sentence.

Nacho's distressed face gave her an idea as to what would probably happen.

"He denies the murder." Nacho blurted out.

"Huh. Haha. Yeah. Umm. Of course he does."

Tears started falling. She choked back on her tears and regained her composure.

"I want to see him."

"Ay hermanita."

"Before you say no, listen to me. I know why you told me all this information just now. You had enough time to tell me before. But you chose this moment, thinking I'll break it off with him."

Nacho was caught red handed. Guilt covered his face.

"It's ok Nacho. I understand why you did it. I just wanted to ask him why he never said anything to me. That's all. Please."

"I'll take you tomorrow on one condition. You stop seeing him. Heck. I just wish you would take that job offer in New York and get the hell out of here. Away from me. Away from Lalo." He finished.

Ana was appalled.

"You don't tell me what to do Igancio. You don't know anything." She cried as she spoke.

"I know that if something bad happens, you'll be the one to get hurt the most. I've seen it before. With your papa and Marcus."

That had done it. She got up and strode off towards the door.

"You have no rights to talk about papa or Marcus."

With that she ran outside.